Sampaoli: Not quitting Argentina

Former Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli insists ‘I’m not considering stepping aside’ from Argentina, despite their World Cup exit on Saturday.

Sampaoli lost his shot at redemption as France beat Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling last-16 tie to reach the quarter-finals, but the Coach made it clear he was still the right man to manage Lionel Messi and co.

“I’m not considering the possibility of stepping aside,” he said after the game.

“Beyond the pain, we must have spirit. It’s still too early for us to analyse what happened.

“France, with two qualifying campaigns and two World Cups with Deschamps in charge, had an advantage in that regard.

“We came from a very difficult qualifying phase, but we can’t use that as an excuse. Messi as a false nine? We have the best player in the world. We tried to surround him and be close to him, and at times we did that.

“Having 63 percent possession? Argentina went to look for the game, but France were quick in transitions and made us pay. We faced an incredible player in Mbappe.”

Tags 2018 World Cup Argentina France Jorge Sampaoli
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